Diving mask enabling pressure equalisation at the ears

ABSTRACT

A diving mask comprising a body provided with a faceplate comprising an upper part, and a flexible skirt including a partition delimiting an upper chamber, for viewing, from a lower chamber, for breathing, the partition being arranged to be supported above the nose. The mask comprises a snorkel disposed in the extension of an upper part of the body. The body comprises a flexible and deformable main nasal part, the upper edge of which is secured in a sealed manner to the lower edge of the upper part of the faceplate. The main nasal part further comprises a main housing for receiving the nose and configured in such a way as to allow the pinching of the nose of the user.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to the field of diving masks, and inparticular masks used for snorkeling.

This activity of snorkeling makes it possible to observe the seabedwhile swimming at the surface of the water. The snorkeler must thus beable to keep his head under water while breathing.

Generally, the snorkeler equips himself with a mask for viewing, and asnorkel for breathing. The snorkel is composed of a tube, the lower endof which is provided with a mouth portion which is housed in the mouthof the user, and an upper end allowing both the intake of fresh air andthe expelling of exhaled air.

It is known that such an item of equipment has many drawbacks. Firstly,since the fact of breathing through the mouth is not natural, somepeople experience difficulty in breathing orally using a snorkel.Another is that it is not possible to speak underwater with a snorkel inone's mouth.

Yet another drawback, related to the use of the mask, is that the innerwall of the faceplate generally tends to become covered in condensation,which impedes visibility, and which obliges the user to clean his maskregularly. The appearance of condensation is due to the fact that thenose of the user opens onto the viewing chamber located between thefaceplate and the eyes of the user, and in general to any hot airproduced in the viewing chamber without being renewed by fresh air.

Thus, the use of this mask-and-snorkel device is not very comfortable.

To remedy this drawback, the document FR 3 020 620 B1 proposes a divingmask making it possible to breathe through the nose and the mouth.

However, this type of improved mask and tube does not allow the user tocompensate for the pressure when he descends into the depths of thewater. To perform this operation, it is necessary to pinch the nose inorder to close the nostrils and balance the pressures on each of theears (in particular between the outer ear and the middle ear of a givenear).

There is thus a need for a mask and snorkel making it possible tobreathe interchangeably through the nose and/or the mouth and to avoidthe formation of condensation in the viewing compartment, and making itpossible to perform a pressure balancing operation as many times asnecessary.

There is also a need for such a mask and snorkel that is light, easy toposition on the face of the user, and comfortable.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure palliates the aforementioned problems in that ithas for object a diving mask comprising:

-   -   a. a body provided with a faceplate comprising an upper part,        and a flexible skirt including a partition delimiting an upper        chamber for viewing from a lower chamber for breathing, the        partition being arranged to be supported above the nose of the        user in such a way that the nose of the user is located in the        lower chamber, while the eyes of the user are located in the        upper chamber, the partition including at least one passage        arranged to allow the circulation of fresh air between the upper        chamber and the lower chamber during a phase of inhalation of        the user,    -   b. a snorkel disposed to extend from an upper part of the body,        the snorkel comprising at least one air duct;    -   c. the body including an exhaled air expelling device which        fluidly connects the lower chamber to the air duct of the        snorkel.    -   The body may comprise a flexible and deformable main nasal part,        the upper edge of which is secured in a sealed manner to the        lower edge of the upper part of the faceplate, and the main        nasal part may comprise a main housing for at least partly        receiving the nose, and configured in such a way as to allow the        pinching of the nose of the user.    -   In addition, the skirt may comprise an auxiliary nasal part,        extending from the partition, said auxiliary nasal part        comprises an auxiliary housing for at least partly receiving the        nose and configured in such a way as to allow the pinching of        the nose of the user.

As a non-limiting example, the partition may be arranged to be supportedabove the nose of a user in such a way that the nose and mouth of theuser are located in the lower chamber, while the eyes of the user arelocated in the upper chamber.

It will be understood that the faceplate is arranged so as to not coverthe nose, and optionally the mouth of the user, so that the user canpinch his nose, by pinching the main housing of the main nasal part.

It will be understood that the snorkel is in fluid connection with theupper chamber. In this aim, the body may include a fresh air intakedevice which is in fluid communication with the snorkel and with theupper air chamber.

The upper edge of the main nasal part may comprise a projection having asetback, arranged such as to receive the lower edge of the upper part ofthe faceplate. In this case, the upper edge of the main nasal part gripsthe upper or lower face, and the face edge of the lower edge of theupper part of the faceplate. The setback may be L-shaped.

The upper edge of the main nasal part can alternatively comprise aU-shaped projection receiving the lower edge of the upper part of thefaceplate. In this case, the upper edge of the main nasal part may beengaged with the upper and lower faces, and the face edge of the loweredge of the upper part of the faceplate.

The flexible skirt may be attached to the faceplate. In addition, thefaceplate may be at least partly transparent. The faceplate may have atransparent flat portion which is located facing the upper chamber.

The flexible skirt may comprise a sealing lip arranged to be supportedby the face of the user.

The flexible skirt (and therefore said partition) and the main nasalpart, and optionally the auxiliary nasal part defined below, may each bemade of a polymer material, which materials can be different oridentical (in their composition, their appearance (shapes, colors etc.),their mechanical properties (mechanical tensile strength, tensileelongation at break etc.)).

Said polymer material may have an elongation at break, for exampletensile, greater than or equal to 100%, or for example greater than orequal to 300%, or for example greater than or equal to 400%.

The polymer material may be made of an elastomer.

The flexible skirt, the main nasal part, and optionally the auxiliarynasal part, may thus be deformable and flexibly take the shape, on theone hand, of the face of the user, thus possibly improving his comfort,and on the other hand, of the rigid or semi-rigid parts of the maskwhich may improve the sealing.

In a variant, the exhaled air expelling device may include a firstexhaled air expelling channel which extends along one of the two lateraledges of the body, the flexible skirt having a first lateral part whichcovers the first exhaled air expelling channel. The first and secondexhaled air channels may extend on either side of the two lateral edgesof the faceplate. The exhaled air expelling device may include a secondlateral part which covers the second exhaled air expelling channel.

The first exhaled air expelling channel, and optionally the secondexhaled air expelling channel, may (each) comprise two lateral walls andone back wall. Said walls may form a U shape in the cross section ofsaid first channel, and optionally of said second channel.

The first channel, and optionally the second channel, can thus be eachcomposed of two adjacent ribs, which project from a first lateral edgeof the faceplate, and optionally from a second lateral edge of thefaceplate respectively.

The first exhaled air expelling channel, and optionally the secondexhaled air expelling channel, can form a single part with thefaceplate. Still preferably, both (sets of two) adjacent ribs form asingle part with the faceplate.

The first exhaled air expelling channel, and where applicable the secondexhaled air expelling channel, can be a different part or parts of thefaceplate, secured, removably or otherwise, to one of the two lateraledges (or to the two edges) of the faceplate. Said part may have aU-shaped cross-section.

The first lateral part, and where applicable the second lateral part, ofthe skirt may include a lateral edge in which is engaged the first (orsecond) air expelling channel in order to prevent the water fromentering the first (or second) air expelling channel.

To do so, the lateral edge of the skirt may include an upper wall and atleast one lateral wall. As a non-limiting example the skirt may include,two lateral walls. Said lateral wall (or walls) may flank the rib (ortwo ribs) of the first (or second) expelling channel while the upperwall may cover the first (or second) expelling channel in order toprovide sealing.

Said lateral edge may be located on the outer periphery of the sealinglip of the skirt which is arranged to be supported by the face of theuser.

In an embodiment, the body of the mask may include a band that surroundsthe faceplate. As a non-limiting example, the band may be rigid orsemi-rigid. The peripheral edge of the skirt may be clamped between theband and the first (or second) exhaled air expelling channel. As anon-limiting example, the first lateral part and/or the second lateralpart of the skirt may be clamped between the band and the first (orsecond) exhaled air expelling channel. This may have the effect ofpreventing the peripheral edge of the skirt from uncoupling from thefirst (or second) exhaled air expelling channel.

The first exhaled air expelling channel, and optionally the secondexhaled air expelling channel, may comprise a lower end portionincluding at least one opening into the lower chamber, and optionally anupper end point in fluid connection with the snorkel.

In an embodiment, the exhaled air expelling device may comprise a secondexhaled air expelling channel equivalent to the first exhaled airexpelling channel. The first and second exhaled air channels may bedisposed on either side of the plane of symmetry of the mask.

It will be understood that in this text the term “plane of symmetry ofthe mask” refers to any plane of the mask passing substantially throughthe sagittal section plane of the face of the user.

In a variant, the faceplate may comprise a lower part, and the mainnasal part may comprise a lower edge secured in a sealed manner to theupper edge of the lower part of the faceplate.

The lower part of the faceplate may cover the chin of the user. As anon-limiting example, the lower part of the faceplate may at leastpartly cover the mouth.

The main nasal part may extend, at least partly, between the lower edgeof the upper part of the faceplate, and the upper edge of the lower partof the faceplate.

The main nasal part is therefore not pressed flat against, and stuck tothe face of the user, in particular on the mouth or nose, which mayfacilitate breathing.

In a variant, the faceplate may comprise a central opening having anupper edge and a lower edge between which the main nasal part extends atleast partly.

The faceplate may extend around the whole circumference of said centralopening.

The central opening may be configured so as to cover the nose of theuser.

In a variant, the faceplate may extend in front of the mouth of theuser. As a non-limiting example, the lower part of the faceplate mayextend in front of the mouth of the user.

This disposition may facilitate breathing through the mouth since themain nasal part is not pressed flat against the latter.

In a variant, the main nasal part may comprise at least one lateralprojection projecting along one side of the plane of symmetry of themask. As a non-limiting example, the main nasal part may comprise twolateral projections projecting on either side of the plane of symmetryof the mask.

Said lateral projection(s) may extend under the housing at least partlyreceiving the nose.

Said lateral projection(s) may extend over the outer face of thefaceplate. As a non-limiting example, said lateral projection(s) mayextend over the outer face of the lower part of the faceplate.

In a variant, said at least one lateral projection of the main nasalpart may comprise a distal end secured in a sealed manner along alateral edge of the faceplate. As a non-limiting example, said lateraledge may be disposed between the upper and lower parts of the faceplate.

The lateral end can comprise a U-shaped or L-shaped projection asdefined above with reference to the projection disposed along the upperedge and/or the lower edge of the main nasal part.

The mask may comprise a first lateral projection comprising a firstdistal end, and a second lateral projection comprising a second distalend. The first lateral end may be secured in a sealed manner along afirst lateral edge of the faceplate, and the second lateral projectionmay be secured in a sealed manner along a second lateral edge of thefaceplate.

The first and second lateral edges of the faceplate may be disposed oneither side of the plane of symmetry of the mask.

The first and second lateral edges may be disposed between the upper andlower parts of the faceplate.

In a variant, the main nasal part, and/or the auxiliary nasal partdefined below, may comprise an outer face and an inner face, the innerface being oriented facing the lower chamber, and the main nasal part,and/or the auxiliary nasal part defined below, may comprise twoprotuberances projecting from said inner face and disposed on eitherside of the plane of symmetry of the mask.

The outer face of the main nasal part may open into the outside of themask and may therefore be accessible to the user when the mask is worn.

The two protuberances of the main nasal part, and/or the auxiliary nasalpart defined below, may be arranged to delimit between them said mainhousing, and/or said auxiliary housing defined below, at least partlyreceiving the nose.

The two protuberances of the main nasal part, and/or the auxiliary nasalpart defined below, may comprise first and second lateral walls betweenwhich the corresponding walls of the nose may be housed.

The two protuberances may be substantially wing-shaped. As anon-limiting example, the two protuberances may be triangle-shaped intheir longitudinal section plane.

The main housing, and/or the auxiliary housing defined below, receivingthe nose may lack any lower wall abutting the lower edge of the nose ofthe user, which may facilitate breathing.

The main housing, and/or the auxiliary housing defined below, may be influid communication with the lower chamber.

In a variant, at least one of the two protuberances may have a thicknessincreasing from its upper portion toward its base.

The base being thicker than the upper part, the pinching of the nose maybe facilitated by pressing the two bases of the two protuberancesagainst the nostrils.

In a variant, the main nasal part, and/or the auxiliary nasal partdefined below, may comprise an outer face and an inner face, the innerface being oriented facing the lower chamber, and the main nasal part,and/or the auxiliary nasal part defined below, may comprise, along itsouter face, two recesses disposed on either side of the main, and/orauxiliary housing(s), for the nose.

This disposition may guide the placing of the fingers of the user forpinching the nose.

In a variant, the main nasal part may be overmolded on the upper part ofthe faceplate, and optionally on the lower part of the faceplate and/oron the lateral edges of the faceplate.

The upper edge, lower edge and optionally the lateral end(s) of thelateral projection(s), may be overmolded on the corresponding edges ofthe faceplate (and therefore may engage with this latter in a sealedmanner).

The term “overmolding” is understood to mean that the main nasal part isobtained by a method of injection (molding) (or extrusion molding), inparticular on an opening arranged in the faceplate.

In a variant, the main nasal part may comprise a plate portionprojecting under the main housing and extending against the faceplate.As a non-limiting example, the plate portion may be on the outer face ofthe faceplate. As a non-limiting example, the plate portion may extendbetween said two lateral projections.

Said plate portion may extend under the housing at least partlyreceiving the nose.

The plate portion may extend over the outer face of the lower part ofthe faceplate.

In a variant, the lower edge of the main nasal part may be disposedbetween the main housing for the nose and the plate portion.

In a variant, the skirt and the main nasal part may be two separateparts.

This disposition may facilitate the manufacturing of the mask accordingto the disclosure.

In a variant, the auxiliary nasal part may comprise a plate portionextending under the auxiliary housing at least partly receiving thenose, said plate portion being secured to the faceplate. As anon-limiting example, the plate portion may be secured to the lower partof the faceplate.

The plate portion may extend over the inner face of the lower part ofthe faceplate.

The upper edge of the lower part of the faceplate may be disposedbetween the plate portion of the main nasal part and the plate portionof the auxiliary nasal part.

The plate portion may be secured to the lower part of the faceplateusing a rigid or semi-rigid attaching part secured onto the lower partof the faceplate, the plate portion being disposed at least partlybetween said attaching part and the lower part of the faceplate. As anon-limiting example, the attaching part may be snap-fitted or clippedonto the lower part of the faceplate.

The attaching part may make it possible to secure the auxiliary nasalpart to the faceplate in a sealed manner. Thus, the flow of air exhaledby the nose and/or the mouth toward the upper viewing chamber may beprevented.

The rigid attaching part may be substantially V-shaped. As anon-limiting example, the tip of the V may be oriented toward the lowerpart of the faceplate.

In a variant, the auxiliary housing of the auxiliary nasal part may benested into the main housing of the main nasal part.

This disposition may improve comfort and may facilitate the pinching ofthe nose.

In a variant, the auxiliary nasal part may comprise an outer face and aninner face, the inner face being oriented facing the breathing chamber,and the auxiliary nasal part comprises two protuberances projecting fromsaid inner face and disposed on either side of the plane of symmetry ofthe mask.

These protuberances of the auxiliary housing can repeat all or part ofthe features defined above with reference to the protuberances of themain housing.

The auxiliary housing can also comprise two recesses arranged on eitherside of the plane of symmetry of the mask.

In a variant, the main nasal part may be made of a polymer materialdifferent from or identical to the polymer material of the auxiliarynasal part.

The polymer material of the main nasal part can be different from thepolymer material of the auxiliary nasal part by virtue of its nature,its thickness, its appearance (color(s), pattern(s), relief marking(s)or otherwise) or else its Shore A hardness.

The polymer material can be a silicone polymer or an elastomer of SEBStype (styrene-butylene-ethylene) or of any equivalent polymer.

In an embodiment, the main nasal part may be made of a polymer materialhaving a Shore A hardness greater than or equal to the Shore A hardnessof the auxiliary nasal part.

In a variant, the main nasal part may have a thickness (mm) greater thanthe thickness of the auxiliary nasal part. As a non-limiting example,said thicknesses may be measured outside the auxiliary and mainhousings.

In a variant, the upper edge of the lower part of the faceplate may bedisposed between the main nasal part and the auxiliary nasal part. As anon-limiting example, the upper edge of the lower part of the faceplatemay be disposed between the main plate portion (the plate portion of themain nasal part) and the auxiliary plate portion (the plate portion ofthe auxiliary nasal part).

In a variant, the skirt and the main nasal part may be made of one andthe same part. As a non-limiting example, in this case, the mask maylack any auxiliary nasal part.

In a variant, the skirt may comprise at least first and second separateparts, a first part providing the sealing of the first and/or second airexpelling channel(s) and contributing to the sealing with the face ofthe user, and a second part providing the sealing with the face of theuser. As a non-non-limiting example, the second part may comprise asealing lip. The second part may comprise the auxiliary nasal part andthe partition separating the upper and lower chambers.

In this case, the mask may lack any auxiliary nasal part.

In a variant, the exhaled air expelling device may include at least afirst check valve arranged to permit a flow of exhaled air directed fromthe lower chamber toward the air duct of the snorkel during a phase ofexhalation of the user, the first check valve being closed during aphase of inhalation of the user.

The first check valve may be located on the body of the mask.

The first check valve may be arranged to close off the exhaled airexpelling device during an inhalation phase.

During an inhalation phase, the closing of the first check valve mayhave the effect of the fresh air not flowing via the air expellingdevice. One advantage may be to avoid the inhalation of the air that hasjust been exhaled and which is still located in the exhaled airexpelling device or in the air duct of the tube.

The first check valve may be arranged to seal said at least one opening(of the first exhaled air expelling channel) during a phase ofinhalation of the user.

The first check valve may comprise at least one flexible membranelocated inside the first exhaled air expelling channel, facing saidopening.

According to an embodiment, said at least one flexible membrane may becomposed of a part of the flexible skirt.

The lower end portion of the first or second exhaled air expellingchannel may comprise two adjacent openings which can be closed off byone or more flexible membranes of the first check valve.

In a variant embodiment, the snorkel may include a single air duct whichis in fluid communication with the lower chamber and the upper chamber.

This disposition may make it possible to simplify the design andmanufacturing of the snorkel by comparison with snorkels of the priorart including several channels. The entire inner volume of the snorkelmay be available during the inhalation and exhalation phases which maymake it possible to substantially increase the incoming and outgoing airflow rate, thus possibly improving comfort and possibly facilitatingbreathing through the mouth and nose.

The single air duct may therefore be in fluid communication with theexhaled air expelling device, and also with the fresh air intake device.

The single air duct may be in fluid communication with the first andsecond exhaled air expelling channels.

Alternatively, the snorkel implemented in the mask according to thedisclosure can comprise several channels.

In a variant, the partition may include at least one check valve,arranged to permit only a flow of fresh air directed from the upperchamber toward the lower chamber during a phase of inhalation of theuser.

It will be understood that the check valve opens during a phase ofinhalation and closes during a phase of exhalation.

The check valve may thus have the function of preventing the exhaled airfrom flowing toward the upper chamber, thus possibly preventing theappearance of condensation on the lower face of the upper part of thefaceplate.

According to an embodiment, the check valve may include a flexible flapcomposed of a part of the flexible skirt.

The flexible flap of the check valve may be formed by a portion of thepartition.

The flexible flap may be delimited between a free edge of the partitionand a cut made in the partition.

This cut may give the flexible flap mobility, possibly allowing it tobend during an inhalation phase in such a way as to open the passage andto allow the fresh air to enter into the lower chamber.

During an exhalation phase, the flexible flap may bear against thefaceplate in order to close said passage.

The present disclosure also has for object, according to a secondaspect, a method for manufacturing a diving mask, as defined accordingto any of the variants defined above with reference to a first aspect ofthe disclosure.

Said method comprises the following steps:

-   -   a) injecting a faceplate comprising a central opening,    -   b) overmolding at least one main nasal part as defined with        reference to a first aspect of the disclosure, engaging at least        with the upper and lower edges of the central opening,    -   c) assembling a skirt as defined with reference to a first        aspect of the disclosure, on the assembly obtained after step        b),    -   d) obtaining a diving mask.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure and its advantages will be better understood on readingthe detailed description of a particular embodiment, given by way ofexample entirely without limitation, and illustrated by the appendeddrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the mask according to the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the mask of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the mask of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a section view of the mask along the section plane IV-IV shownin FIG. 1, corresponding to the plane of symmetry S of the mask,illustrating the superimposition of the main nasal part and theauxiliary nasal part;

FIG. 5 is a section view of the mask along the section plane IV-IV shownin FIG. 1, without faceplate or tube;

FIG. 6 shows the lower part of the mask once the flexible skirt and thefaceplate are assembled;

FIG. 7A is a front view of the main nasal part of the mask of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7B is a rear view of the main nasal part of the mask of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a first example of a diving mask 1 comprising a body10 provided with a faceplate 20 comprising at least one upper part 21,and a flexible skirt 30 including a partition 40 delimiting an upperchamber 45 for viewing from a lower chamber 50 for breathing, thepartition 40 being arranged to be supported above the nose of the userin such a way that the nose, and in this specific example also themouth, of the user are located in the lower chamber 50, while the eyesof the user are located in the upper chamber 45, the partition 40including at least one passage 55 to allow the circulation of fresh airbetween the upper chamber 45 and the lower chamber 50 during an phase ofinhalation of the user.

The faceplate 20 is made of a rigid and transparent material, forexample polycarbonate.

The flexible skirt 30 is made of a flexible material, for examplesilicone elastomer.

The body 10 includes a band 25 which is shaped to surround the faceplate20. This band 25 has the function of providing, or at least improving,the attachment of the skirt 30 to the faceplate 20.

The upper part 21 of the faceplate 20 covers the upper viewing chamber45 and comprises a transparent flat portion 19 intended to be locatedsubstantially level with the eyes of the user.

A snorkel 70 is disposed in the extension of an upper part 10 a of thebody, the snorkel 70 comprising at least one air duct 72, in thisspecific example a single air duct. In this example, the snorkel 70 ismounted on the body 10 removably.

The body 10 includes an exhaled air expelling device 80 which forms afluid connection of the lower chamber 50 to the air duct 72 of thesnorkel 70. The body 10 comprises a flexible and deformable main nasalpart 15 the upper edge 15 a of which is secured in a sealed manner tothe lower edge 21 a of the upper part 21 of the faceplate 20.

In this example, the upper edge 15 a of the main nasal part 15 comprisesa projection 8 shown in FIG. 4 having a recess, particularly L-shaped,arranged so as to receive the lower edge 21 a of the upper part 21 ofthe faceplate 20.

The main nasal part 15 comprises a housing 16 receiving the nose andconfigured in such a way as to allow the pinching of the nose of theuser.

The main nasal part 15 comprises two lateral projections 17,18projecting on either side of the plane of symmetry S of the mask 1.

The faceplate 20 comprises a lower part 22, and the main nasal part 15comprises a lower edge 15 b secured in a sealed manner to the upper edge22 a of the lower part 22 of the faceplate 20.

The lateral projections 17 and 18 each comprise a distal endrespectively 17 a and 18 a secured in a sealed manner to either side ofthe faceplate, along its lateral edges including the lateral edge 20 dshown in FIG. 3. Said lateral edges (including the lateral edge 20 d)are disposed between the upper 21 and lower 22 parts of the faceplate20.

The main nasal part 15 comprises an outer face 13 and an inner face 14,the inner face 14 being oriented facing the breathing chamber 50. Themain nasal part 15 comprises two protuberances 5 and 6 projecting fromsaid inner face 14 and disposed on either side of the plane of symmetryS of the mask 1.

In this specific example, the two protuberances 5 and 6 (see FIGS. 7Aand 7B) have a thickness increasing from their bases 5 a and 6 a towardtheir upper portions 5 b and 6 b.

The main nasal part 15 comprises, along its outer face 13, two recesses31, 32 disposed on either side of the main housing 16 for the nose. Themain nasal part 15 is overmolded on the upper part 21 of the faceplate20, and where applicable on the lower part 22 of the faceplate 20 and/orthe lateral edges 20 d of the faceplate 20.

The faceplate 20 thus comprises a central opening 4 having an upper edge4 a and a lower edge 4 b between which the main nasal part 15 extends.

The faceplate 20 is arranged so that the lower part 22 covers the chinand the mouth of the user.

The main nasal part 15 further comprises a plate portion 35, inparticular extending between said two lateral projections 17 and 18. Theskirt 30 and the main nasal part 15 are two separate parts.

The skirt 30 comprises an auxiliary nasal part 60, in the extension ofthe partition 40. Said auxiliary nasal part 60 comprises an auxiliaryhousing 62 receiving the nose and configured in such a way as to allowthe pinching of the nose of the user.

The auxiliary nasal part 60 comprises a plate portion 65 projectingunder the auxiliary housing 62, said plate portion 65 being secured tothe faceplate 20, in particular to the lower part 22 of the faceplate 20by an attaching part 66. The attaching part 66 is secured, for exampleclipped, to attaching tabs 67 projecting from the inner face of thelower part 22 of the faceplate 20.

The plate portion 65 comprises two orifices 68 and 69 which engage withthe attaching tabs 67 before the positioning of the attaching part 66,which also comprises two orifices for cooperating with the attachingtabs 67.

Advantageously, the auxiliary housing 62 is configured to be nested intothe main housing 16.

Preferably, the auxiliary housing also comprises two protuberances 62 90and 91 projecting over the inner face of the auxiliary nasal part 60,facing the lower breathing chamber 50. In this specific example, theprotuberances 90 and 91 each have a thickness increasing from its upperpart toward its base.

The upper edge 22 a of the lower part 22 of the faceplate 20 is thusdisposed between the main plate portion 35 overmolded on the outer faceof the faceplate 20, and the auxiliary plate portion 65 attached to theinner face of the faceplate 20 by way of the attaching part 66.

The main nasal part 15 can be made of a polymer material different fromor identical to the polymer material of the auxiliary nasal part 60.

Advantageously, the exhaled air expelling device 80 includes at least afirst check valve 43 arranged to permit a flow of exhaled air directedfrom the lower chamber 50 toward the air duct 72 of the snorkel 70during a phase of exhalation of the user, the first check valve 43 beingclosed during a phase of inhalation of the user.

Preferably, the first check valve 43 comprises a flexible membrane 142which, in this specific example, is composed of a portion of theflexible skirt 30. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the first lateral part ofthe peripheral edge 124 of the skirt 30 includes an upper wall 126 andtwo lateral walls, of which only the lateral wall 128 is clearlyvisible. The lateral walls, including the lateral wall 128, flank thetwo ribs, including the visible rib 105, of the first exhaled airexpelling channel 81 in order to provide the sealing. The flexiblemembrane 142 appears in the form of a substantially rectangular shapewhich protrudes from an inner face of the upper wall 126. In FIG. 6, thefirst check valve 43 is illustrated in solid lines in the closedposition, and in dotted lines in the open position.

The exhaled air expelling device 80 also includes a first air expellingchannel 81 and a second exhaled air expelling channel 82 which extendrespectively along a first lateral edge 2 and a second lateral edge 3 ofthe body 10, in particular on either side of the two lateral edges ofthe faceplate 20.

The first check valve 43 also includes a valve seat 144 arranged tocooperate with the flexible membrane 142, the valve seat beingincorporated into the faceplate 20. In the closed position, the flexiblemembrane 142 is supported by the valve seat 144 to seal said at leastone opening arranged in the first exhaled air expelling channel 81.

The exhaled air expelling device 80 moreover comprises a second checkvalve 160, similar to the first check valve 43, which is arranged topermit a flow of exhaled directed from the lower chamber 50 toward theair duct 72 of the snorkel 70 during a phase of exhalation of the user.The second check valve 160 operates like the first check valve 43.

The flexible skirt 30 has first 51 and second 52 lateral parts arrangedso as to cover in a sealed manner the first and second exhaled airexpelling channels 81 and 82.

In operation, the user disposes the mask 1 on his face, which mask cancomprise attaching means such as elastic straps of adjustable length.When the user inhales, the inhaled fresh air crosses the duct 72 of thesnorkel 70 and comes out in the upper viewing chamber 45 then passesinto the passage arranged by means of the check valve 55 in thepartition 40 to come out in the lower breathing chamber 50 in which thenose and the mouth of the user are located. The check valve 55 isconfigured to allow the inhaled air to travel from the viewing chamber45 toward the breathing chamber 50 and prevent any return of exhaled airin the opposite direction. During an exhalation phase, the passage ofair in the partition 40 is sealed so that the air is forced through thefirst and second air expelling channels 81 and 82 disposed along thelateral edges 2 and 3 of the body 10, in particular disposed along thelateral edges of the faceplate 20 and closed in a sealed manner by thecorresponding lateral edges of the flexible skirt 30.

The first and second exhaled air expelling channels 81 and 82 are influid connection in their upper parts with the snorkel 70, in particularwith the single air duct 72.

The exhaled air is therefore evacuated toward the snorkel 70 withoutpassing through the upper viewing chamber 45.

In order to balance the pressures, the user pinches his nose, by lodginghis fingers in the recesses 31 and 32 of the main housing 16. Theauxiliary housing 62 being nested into the main housing 16, the pressureexerted on the main housing 16 is transmitted to the auxiliary housing60, which transmission is facilitated due to the protuberances 5 and 6of the main housing pressing against the protuberances 90 and 91 of theauxiliary housing 60.

The nesting together of the main 16 and auxiliary 62 housingsfacilitates the pinching of the nose.

In addition, the arrangement of the faceplate 20 in front of the mouth,along with the overmolding of the main nasal part 15 on the opening 4,and its arrangement with respect to the auxiliary nasal part 60 allowthe nasal parts 15 and 60 not to be located against the mouth of theuser which facilitates breathing.

The main nasal part 15 being overmolded on the lower edge 21 a of theupper part 21 of the faceplate 20 on the one hand, and on the upper edge22 a of the lower part 22 of the faceplate 20 on the other hand, andwhere applicable on the lateral edges 20 d of the faceplate 20, there isno risk when the user handles it that it will detach from the faceplate20.

The mask 1 according to the disclosure thus makes it possible to combinethe advantages of an anti-condensation mask allowing breathinginterchangeably through the nose and mouth, while being able to balancethe pressures on the ears.

1-15. (canceled)
 16. A diving mask comprising: a. a body provided with afaceplate comprising an upper part, and a flexible skirt including apartition delimiting an upper chamber for viewing from a lower chamberfor breathing, the partition being arranged to be supported above a noseof a user in such a way that the nose of the user is located in thelower chamber, while eyes of the user are located in the upper chamber,the partition including at least one passage arranged to allowcirculation of fresh air between the upper chamber and the lower chamberduring a phase of inhalation of the user, b. a snorkel disposed toextend from an upper part of the body, the snorkel comprising at leastone air duct; c. the body including an exhaled air expelling devicewhich fluidly connects the lower chamber to the air duct of the snorkel;wherein the body comprises a flexible and deformable main nasal part, anupper edge of which is secured in a sealed manner to a lower edge of theupper part of the faceplate, wherein the main nasal part comprises amain housing for at least partly receiving the nose and configured insuch a way as to allow the pinching of the nose of the user, and whereinthe skirt comprises an auxiliary nasal part, extending from thepartition, said auxiliary nasal part comprises an auxiliary housing forat least partly receiving the nose and configured in such a way as toallow the pinching of the nose of the user.
 17. The mask according toclaim 16, wherein the auxiliary housing is nested into the main housing.18. The mask according to claim 16, wherein the faceplate comprises alower part, and wherein the main nasal part comprises a lower edgesecured in a sealed manner to an upper edge of the lower part of thefaceplate.
 19. The mask according to claim 16, wherein the faceplatecomprises a central opening having an upper edge and a lower edgebetween which the main nasal part extends at least partly.
 20. The maskaccording to claim 16, wherein the faceplate extends in front of a mouthof the user.
 21. The mask according to claim 16, wherein the main nasalpart comprises at least one lateral projection projecting along one sideof a plane of symmetry of the mask.
 22. The mask according to claim 16,wherein the main nasal part comprises an outer face and an inner face,the inner face being oriented facing the lower chamber, and wherein themain nasal part comprises two protuberances projecting from said innerface and disposed on either side of a plane of symmetry of the mask. 23.The mask according to claim 16, wherein the main nasal part comprises anouter face and an inner face, the inner face being oriented facing thelower chamber , and wherein the main nasal part comprises, along itsouter face, two recesses disposed on either side of the main housing ofthe main nasal part.
 24. The mask according to claim 16, wherein themain nasal part is overmolded on the upper part of the faceplate. 25.The mask according to claim 16, wherein the main nasal part comprises aplate portion projecting under the main housing and extending againstthe faceplate.
 26. The mask according to claim 25, wherein a lower edgeof the main nasal part is disposed between the main housing for the noseand the plate portion.
 27. The mask according to claim 16, wherein theskirt and the main nasal part are two separate parts.
 28. The maskaccording to claim 16, wherein the auxiliary nasal part comprises aplate portion projecting under the auxiliary housing, said plate portionbeing secured to the faceplate.
 29. The mask according to claim 18,wherein the upper edge of the lower part of the faceplate is disposedbetween the main nasal part and the auxiliary nasal part.
 30. The maskaccording to claim 16, wherein the skirt and the main nasal part aremade of one and the same part.
 31. The mask according to claim 20,wherein a lower part of the faceplate extends in front of the mouth ofthe user.
 32. The mask according to claim 24, wherein the main nasalpart is overmolded on a lower part of the faceplate and on lateral edgesof the faceplate.
 33. The mask according to claim 25, wherein the plateportion of the main nasal part extends between said two lateralprojections.
 34. The mask according to claim 28, wherein the plateportion of the auxiliary nasal part is secured to a lower part of thefaceplate.
 35. The mask according to claim 29, wherein the upper edge ofthe lower part of the faceplate is disposed between a plate portion ofthe main nasal part and a plate portion of the auxiliary nasal part. 36.The mask according to claim 15, wherein the partition is arranged to besupported above the nose of a user in such a way that the nose and mouthof the user are located in the lower chamber, while the eyes of the userare located in the upper chamber.